'Trickster' Returns To Offer Crime Prevention Advice To Poole Residents

Distraction burglaries are usually aimed at the elderly and vulnerable. Criminals trick their way into a property, sometimes by pretending to be from a utility company or someone providing a maintenance service for the house or garden.  Once inside, one of the burglars will distract the occupier while the other steals valuables.

Based on a true story, Trickster tells the tale of an elderly gentleman called George who becomes a victim of distraction burglary when he is conned by bogus callers.  The musical shows how George, once a proud soldier, battles with being conned and beats the bogus callers.

There will be two performances of Trickster on Friday 3 October 2008, both of which are free to attend, at:

10:00am St Paul's Church
Neighbourhood Centre
Culliford Crescent, Canford Heath

2.30pm St Luke's Church Hall
Birchwood Road, Parkstone

To reserve a seat at one of these performances contact Lilliput and Lower Parkstone Neighbourhood Watch Chairperson, Joan Percy on 01202 737659. 

Debbie Oldfield, Neighbourhood Watch Manager for the Bournemouth and Poole Division of Dorset Police, said: "Trickster is not only designed to entertain, it is designed to inform and as a result performances of Trickster have been successful in reducing of this type of crime.

"Victims of distraction burglary often feel embarrassed that they have been tricked so are more reluctant to tell the police straight away. People need to understand that this type of crime can happen to anyone and Trickster aims to make people aware of the importance of reporting distraction burglaries immediately in order to prevent other members of the community being targeted by the same criminals. 

"Therefore, I am urging families, friends, neighbours and carers who know any vulnerable or elderly people to bring them along to a performance of Trickster so that we can help to prevent them becoming victims of this despicable crime."

Dorset Police advises everyone to take the following steps to avoid becoming victims of distraction burglaries:

LOCKED: Always keep your front and back doors locked, even if you are in the house.

STOP: Before you answer the door, stop and think are you expecting anyone. Is the back door locked? Look through window or spy hole to see who it is.

CHAIN: Put the door chain or bar on before opening the door. Keep it on whilst talking to the person on the doorstep, this is not rude or unfriendly.

CHECK: Ask for the caller's identity card. Close the door whilst checking to see if the caller is genuine. Do not be tempted to phone the number on the card as this could be fake. Always check the number in the phone book or from a recent bill if they claim to be from a utility company. Take your time. If the caller is genuine then they will not mind waiting for you to do this. Only let them in if you're absolutely sure they are genuine.  If in doubt keep them out!

Since its creation in 2001, Trickster has been performed to more than 400 different audiences around the county with excellent results.  Thanks to its advice numerous cases of distraction burglary have been avoided and many victims have had stolen valuables returned to them.

Following a performance in Bournemouth earlier this year, Dorset Police received 40 phone calls in two hours relating to distraction burglaries.  Police were also able to return £5,000 to two elderly members of the community.

Funding for these performances has been provided by the Safer Poole Partnership, which has been working with Lilliput and Lower Parkstone Neighbourhood Watch and officers from the Bournemouth and Poole Division of Dorset Police, to put on Trickster in Poole.

Refreshments will be served after each performance.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 or 01305 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.